Introduction to Embedded System

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Table of Contents
Definition of embedded system Embedded System components Examples of embedded system Classification of embedded system Characteristics of an embedded system Comparison: General purpose and Embedded system Blocks of microprocessor Blocks of microcontroller Von-Neumann and Harvard architecture RISC and CISC instruction set Memory Peripherals Challenges in Embedded System design Classical design methodology Software development models
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Definition of embedded system A microprocessor based system that is embedded as a subsystem, in a larger system
Embedded system Inputs
Sub System #1

Outputs Processing unit

Sub System #2

Interconnects
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Components of embedded system Generic components

Memory

Sensors

A/D conversion User interface

Processor or ASIC

D/A conversion

Actuators

Diagnostic port

External environment

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Examples of Embedded System

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Examples of Embedded System

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Classification of embedded system

Based on interface design Based on communication User interface based of data Non user interface based Stand alone embedded systems Based on cost Networked embedded One time programmable systems mass production systems Based on functionality Erasable Reprogrammable development systems Simple embedded systems Complex embedded systems Based on Timelines Real time systems Non real time systems
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Characteristics of Embedded System

Special-purpose
Typically, is designed to execute a single program, repeatedly It used to be singlepurpose Now, multi-functioned, but single-purpose

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Characteristics of Embedded System

Tightly constrained
Low cost Simple systems Fewer components based Performs functions fast enough Minimum power

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Characteristics of Embedded System

Reactive
Continually reacts to external events

Real-time
Must compute certain results in real-time

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Characteristics of Embedded System

Hardware and software coexist
The software written for embedded systems is often called firmware Is stored in read-only memory or Flash memory chips rather than a disk drive

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Comparison: General purpose and Embedded system General Purpose System

Programmable by the end user Can be designed for broad class of application Memory is not a constraint Not suitable for realizing real-time requirements Bulky

Embedded System
Not programmable by end user Designed only for specific application Limited memory Suitable for realizing real-time requirements Compact

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Blocks of microprocessor

Microprocessor
Memory Bus

Data Cache Bus Interface Unit Control Unit Instruction Decoder Arithmetic & Logic Unit Registers Floating Point Unit Registers
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RAM I/O
System Bus

Instruction Cache

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Blocks of microprocessor Bus interface unit

Receives instructions & data from main memory Instructions are then sent to the instruction cache, data to the data cache Also receives the processed data and sends it to the main memory

Instruction Decoder
This unit receives the programming instructions and decodes them into a form that is understandable by the processing units, i.e. the ALU or FPU Then, it passes on the decoded instruction to the ALU or FPU

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Blocks of microprocessor Arithmetic & Logic Unit (ALU)

Also known as the Integer Unit It performs whole-number math calculations (subtract, multiply, divide, etc) comparisons (is greater than, is smaller than, etc.) and logical operations (NOT, OR, AND, etc)

Floating-Point Unit (FPU)

Also known as the Numeric Unit It performs calculations that involve numbers represented in floating-point numbers Floating-point calculations are required for doing graphics, engineering and scientific work The ALU can do these calculations as well, but will do them very slowly
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Blocks of microprocessor Registers

Both ALU & FPU have a private memory placed right next to them for their exclusive use. These are called registers The ALU & FPU store intermediate and final results from their calculations in these registers Processed data goes back to the data cache and then to main memory from these registers

Control Unit
The brain of the uP Manages the whole uP tasks include fetching instructions & data, storing data, managing input/output devices
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Blocks of microcontroller

Microcontroller
Memory Bus RAM

Data Cache Control Unit Instruction Decoder Arithmetic & Logic Unit Registers
microprocessor

FLASH

Bus Interface Unit

System bus

I/O

Instruction Cache
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The Von Neumann Architecture

Unified data and program memory
Bus Processor (CPU) Memory Input-Output Control Unit ALU Store data and program Execute program Do arithmetic/logic operations requested by program
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Communicate with "outside world", e.g. Screen Keyboard Storage devices ...
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The Harvard Architecture

Separate memory for both program and data

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RISC and CISC instruction set

Instruction Set
The set of machine instructions that a uP recognizes and can execute

Two different approaches:

Reduced Instruction Set Computers (RISC)
Instruction set as small and simple as possible. Minimizes amount of circuitry --> faster computers

Complex Instruction Set Computers (CISC)

More instructions, many very complex Each instruction can do more work, but require more circuitry.

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Memory: basic concepts

Stores large number of bits
m x n: m words of n bits each k = Log2(m) address input signals or m = 2^k words e.g., 4,096 x 8 memory:
32,768 bits 12 address input signals 8 input/output data signals
m words m n memory

n bits per word

memory external view

R/W

Memory access
r/w: selects read or write enable: read or write only when asserted multiport: multiple accesses to different locations simultaneously

enable A0 Ak-1

2k n read and write memory

Qn-1
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Q0
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Memory: Write ability and permanence

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Memory: Write ability and permanence Ranges of write ability

High end
processor writes to memory simply and quickly e.g., RAM

Middle range
processor writes to memory, but slower e.g., FLASH, EEPROM

Lower range
special equipment, programmer, must be used to write to memory e.g., EPROM, OTP ROM

Low end
bits stored only during fabrication e.g., Mask-programmed ROM
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Memory: Write ability and permanence Range of storage permanence

High end
essentially never loses bits e.g., mask-programmed ROM

Middle range
holds bits days, months, or years after memorys power source turned off e.g., NVRAM

Lower range
holds bits as long as power supplied to memory e.g., SRAM

Low end
begins to lose bits almost immediately after written e.g., DRAM
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Memory Hierarchy
Small, expensive , fast memory stores copy of likely accessed Access time parts of larger memory increases
Processor

Registers

Large, inexpensive, slow memory stores entire program and cost data increases

Cache

Main memory

Disk

Tape

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Peripherals
Flash memory RAM Serial ports WDT Timer ADC DAC Sensors Actuators RTC I/O devices
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Challenges in Embedded System design

Correct functioning is crucial
safety-critical applications

They are Reactive Systems

Once started run forever. Termination is a bad behavior.

Concurrent systems
System and environment run concurrently

Real-time systems
not only rt. outputs but at rt. time imagine a delay of few minutes in pacemaker system

Stringent resource constraints

compact systems ,quick response , low power ,Time-to-market
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Classical design methodology

Requirements Analysis Design
Implementation

Testing

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Software development models Waterfall model

Determine basic characteristics of system Decompose into basic modules Implement and integrate Exercise and uncover bugs Fix bug & upgrade

Critiques of waterfall model

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Software development models Spiral Model

Spiral model critiques

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Software development models V- Model

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